Success of Any Endeavor
From the series: "STAND OUT IN THE CROWD"
by Frank Allocco, Sr.
Series Introduction
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
- 2.9% of high school players will play college basketball.
- Less than 1 in 75, or 1.3 percent of NCAA Seniors will be drafted by an NBA Team.
- About 3 in 10,000 players (0.03 percent) of high school seniors will eventually be drafted by an NBA team.
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
Coach John Duggan, Sr. is a legendary coach in the city of San Francisco and is deservedly in the San Francisco CYO Hall of Fame for his work with young boys and girls during his fifty years of service. He has also coached at the high school level and continues to assist at the secondary level while simultaneously coaching CYO Girls Basketball at St. Stephens. I met John when I was in my early 30’s, coaching CYO Basketball at Saint Agnes in Concord, California. John and I quickly bonded through our love for the game. He shared his wisdom and contacts, taking me under his wing and introducing me to the world of San Francisco basketball. Competing in the city enabled our players to create new friendships and benefit from the outstanding competition of the famous Flame Tournament as we tested ourselves against the top CYO teams throughout the bay area.
Because of our blossoming friendship and newfound relationship in coaching, Coach Duggan brought his son John, Jr. to my Excel Basketball Camp in Concord. I was always amazed by John, Sr.’s passion for the game and his intense commitment to his son. Each day father and son would take the long trip across the Bay Bridge and through the Caldecott Tunnel as they journeyed to the East Bay, further cementing their amazing relationship. Their love for the game and for each other continues to this day as their commute now consists of traveling together to watch USF Dons games and coaching second grade girls at Saint Stephens.
Young John was very coachable, listened attentively, and improved tremendously during his years at our camp. He then attended Saint Ignatius High School in San Francisco where he had a fantastic prep career. His All State play earned him a scholarship to USF, his dream school, where he was a fine team player and an outstanding shooter who was a top ten scorer in the West Coast Conference in two of his four years. He then took his talent and skills across the ocean and had a fine basketball career in Europe.
After his graduation from college, John joined the Sports Management Masters Program at the University of San Francisco. As part of his final assignment, John did a thesis on creating a basketball camp from concept through fulfillment. He called me for assistance, asking countless business questions and inquiring about the vision that led to the creation of the camp. Before ending our phone interview, he said, “I went to camps all over the state of California and your camp was clearly the best. What makes it so special and why do you think it has been so successful?” My response was instantaneous as I told him, “the success of any venture will be determined by the spirit in which it was entered.”
Because of our blossoming friendship and newfound relationship in coaching, Coach Duggan brought his son John, Jr. to my Excel Basketball Camp in Concord. I was always amazed by John, Sr.’s passion for the game and his intense commitment to his son. Each day father and son would take the long trip across the Bay Bridge and through the Caldecott Tunnel as they journeyed to the East Bay, further cementing their amazing relationship. Their love for the game and for each other continues to this day as their commute now consists of traveling together to watch USF Dons games and coaching second grade girls at Saint Stephens.
Young John was very coachable, listened attentively, and improved tremendously during his years at our camp. He then attended Saint Ignatius High School in San Francisco where he had a fantastic prep career. His All State play earned him a scholarship to USF, his dream school, where he was a fine team player and an outstanding shooter who was a top ten scorer in the West Coast Conference in two of his four years. He then took his talent and skills across the ocean and had a fine basketball career in Europe.
After his graduation from college, John joined the Sports Management Masters Program at the University of San Francisco. As part of his final assignment, John did a thesis on creating a basketball camp from concept through fulfillment. He called me for assistance, asking countless business questions and inquiring about the vision that led to the creation of the camp. Before ending our phone interview, he said, “I went to camps all over the state of California and your camp was clearly the best. What makes it so special and why do you think it has been so successful?” My response was instantaneous as I told him, “the success of any venture will be determined by the spirit in which it was entered.”
“the success of any venture will be determined by the spirit in which it was entered.”
I elaborated on my new quote by explaining that I had created Excel with the intention of keeping the message of a beloved mentor alive. I had never considered this venture as a business, only as a way to honor a deceased coach who had changed my life and so many others. The ministry of the camp was to teach the fundamentals of basketball and of life by serving others and inspiring them to be the best they can be both on and off the court. I believed then and still believe today, thirty years later, that this selfless focus is why the camp is so special as we continue in our mission to “change the world one player at a time.”
John and his family have been the embodiment of this spirit in the restaurants they have created in San Francisco. Original Joe’s and Westlake Joe’s present more than outstanding food and service. They are gathering places, opportunities to experience a unique family atmosphere based on love, friendship, and community. These wonderful traits and their commitment to serve certainly set them apart and have led to their incredible success.
John and his family have been the embodiment of this spirit in the restaurants they have created in San Francisco. Original Joe’s and Westlake Joe’s present more than outstanding food and service. They are gathering places, opportunities to experience a unique family atmosphere based on love, friendship, and community. These wonderful traits and their commitment to serve certainly set them apart and have led to their incredible success.
"As we pursue the many challenges in our lives, it is essential to realize that it is truly “more than just a game.” Your perspective as you approach the many opportunities in your journey will determine your success."
As we pursue the many challenges in our lives, it is essential to realize that it is truly “more than just a game.” Your perspective as you approach the many opportunities in your journey will determine your success. It is imperative to examine what you do, why you are doing it, and how you define what you do. Are you a young player trying to gain notoriety or earn a scholarship through sport or are you embracing the lessons taught, learning vital skills of Discipline, Love, and Sacrifice? Are you an insurance salesperson or a committed partner that sells security and futures for families? Are you coaching to build a resume and win games or are you coaching to change the lives of the students you are fortunate to mentor?
We are all blessed with the opportunity to enrich the lives of others regardless of the role we serve. At the core of every endeavor must be a greater good, a clear understanding of what success is and why we are trying to attain it. Ironically, in totally immersing ourselves in selfless service to others without regard to personal gain, we often experience the success we sought, without even looking for it!
We are all blessed with the opportunity to enrich the lives of others regardless of the role we serve. At the core of every endeavor must be a greater good, a clear understanding of what success is and why we are trying to attain it. Ironically, in totally immersing ourselves in selfless service to others without regard to personal gain, we often experience the success we sought, without even looking for it!
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